Saturday, February 28, 2009

Saturday morning was devoted to planning a combination of Smalltown Alabama 2010 and Founders Day. It was decided that a weeklong event would include: a carnival, theatrical play, food vendors, chili cook-off, petting zoo,working model train display, clothing vendors, car show and entertainment. Since Chickasaw owns a billboard off I-65, a "teaser ad" will go up shortly saying: Homecoming Chickasaw2010 which should stir up some interest in the event. The general consensus of opinion was to advertise in the surrounding towns and let the word

Friday, February 27, 2009

This afternoon I had lunch with Fayette Corlette, one of the former councilmen. I had offered to get airline tickets for his wife, Sharon, on line. At 7:00 PM the Chickasaw Industrial Development Board hosted a meeting of the Port business owners and managers. We had several in attendance and are planning another get-together in about two weeks. Guidance in getting fire equipment and security grants were discussed.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

I had heard of a group known as the Society For Creative Anachronism (SCA) for short, so after church I decided to see what they were about. Driving down to Langham Park, near the Mobile Museum, I found a cordial group of the local chapter dressed in clothing of the Renaissance, sword fighting in full battle armor. Some in chain mail, others in solid metal, swinging their weapons with intent to render serious blows. Fortunately the swords appear to be wood, but the sound of them striking body parts was ominous. They gave me some of their literature and invited me to their "Erin Go Brawl" weekend feast held in McKenzie Alabama April 17-19.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Saturday I showed up at the J.C. Davis Auditorium for the boating class and found out it had been cancelled. Since I had chosen the class over my regularly scheduled South West Alabama Railroad Modelers meeting, I just headed for Fairhope to see what my train buddies were doing. Yesterday I had participated in a much needed meeting between the Mayor and the Civic Theatre Board. A lot of the confusion was cleared up and the threatre will appoint a two or three person contingent to negotiate with Mayor Pittman. Later today, I will write an agenda for the Port Of Chickasaw meeting next Thursday at the Civic Center.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Today was a very busy Thursday. Started out with a Chamber Board meeting at 10:00 AM folowed by the Chamber Of Commerce Lunch. Presentations were made to Ervin Dailey of an engraved plaque and clock with the thanks of the board for his fine job as past president in 2008. Ervin and his wife, Cecilia Ann had sponsored a fine lunch of brunswick stew, cornbread, salad and cake. Todays speaker was Bob Bender from Springdale Travel who spoke about saving money by letting an agency plan your travel. After returning to my office and getting out a couple of letters, it was time to head downtown for a delightfully catered mardi-gras party at the City Attorneys office of Lyons, Pipes and Cook. The crawfish tarts and shrimp and grits were very tasty, augmented by a an open bar for our favorite cocktails. We were invited towatch the parade from a second story balcony overlooking Royal Street. Many beads

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

I had a 9 AM meeting with Sherrie Graham and Sam in the maintenance dept. to discuss a city grant for new sidewalks in front and beyond Peter Jo Hamilton School.Mike Reynolds and Byron Pittman joined us for a lavish lunch at Whataburger, where our friend and philanthropist, Mike Renolds, picked up the tab. Tuesday evening, we had a special meeting of the Industrial Development Board to vote ina new industry: Threaded Fasteners owned by Billy Duren. They are currently located on St. Louis Street in Mobile and will move their corporate headquarters to Chickasaw, across Telegraph Rd. from the China Doll Rice building.

Today was Kiwanis Lunch with guest speaker, Ron Towles, introduced by our safety director: Mike Reynolds. Mike has also applied for admission into our group. Ron spoke on several security tips such as leaving your lights on when away on a trip.This evening was a board meeting of the Chickasaw Civic Theatre where there was a large attendance (about 50 persons) Much heated discussion ensued about the City asking for a four year lease with the Theatre paying for utilities, rather than a 99 year leasewith the Theatre paying nothing. It should be resolved Friday afternoon when a contingent of Chickasaw board members meet with the mayor. Tsk,Tsk.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Today is Valentines Day and I spent the morning painting a module (3X6 ft green carpeted board) for my model railroad club. Then before I could run out to get my bride a gift for the occasion, I had to number the tickets for our upcoming "Citizen

Of The Year" event at the Chamber. I always try to pick out a card for her that makes her laugh. What you don't see in the picture is the big kiss I received.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Yesterday was spent finishing my Chamber Of Commerce report for next week, attending the First Baptist Church Valentine Dinner (as a guest of Nell Barnes and Ed Baxley) then meeting with the St. Thomas Council. Today, I wrote my invitation letterto the Port Of Chickasaw group and attended the last CERT class to get my certification. (see picture of instructors and entire group)

Monday, February 9, 2009

Monday is Kiwanis lunch and today was "new business" day. Kiwanis joined the Chamber Of Commerce and we voted to give First Priority charity $500. I Left straight from there downtown to talk with a metal fastener company that would like to locate its home office in Chickasaw. I will have to convene the Industrial Board to vote on it Tuesday, Feb. 17th. Tonight was a meeting of the Historical Society where everyone was interested in getting their share of the Stimulus benefits so our town could improve its infrastructure.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

We went to Cogburn Rehabilitation to visit Henry Phillips after church. He appears to be doing well. Ross Naze and Ruth Sheppard dropped in as we were leaving. Since wewere so close to Dauphin St., we picked up lunch at Foosacklys and took it to Langham Park where we fed the geese while we ate. Returning home, it was time for some exercise so we played a little tennis at Mauvilla Park.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Delivered the remaining sound equipment to St. Thomas Church this afternoon, then had a quick dinner with Deb before going to my CERT (Community Emergency Response Training) meeting at 6:30 PM. Tonight we had to learn how to leverage a victim from under a fallen wall and remove them as well by a blanket carry with six persons in assist. Tomorrow we are headed up to the Windcreek Hotel in Atmore, AL. for a little R&R.Picture above was taken February

6, 2009 in the Fire Steakhouse at Windcreek. (Check out the delicious prime rib)

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Today was spent with Mayor Pittman calling on businesses in the Port Of Chickasaw.All the responses to forming an association (or consortium) was favorable. The mayor took the crew from GAO and myself to lunch. At 6:00 PM I chaired the Industrial Development Board meeting where our guest speaker was Jimmy Lyons, CEO of the Mobile Port. Some very important information came out of that talk with Mr. Lyons.

Monday, February 2, 2009

Kiwanis lunch featured a speaker from the state organization to kick-off a new members drive. I later spoke to our city Safety Officer, Mike Reynolds about joiningthe Chickasaw club and he gave me a thumbs-up.At one PM I met with Michelle Adams from Chickasaw Magnet School of Math and Science to judge the winners in a school wide Invention Contest. Surprisingly, therewere some extremely thoughtful entries that,in my opinion,could be marketed nationally with very few changes.At 4:00 PM eight of us from the city met with Mayor Pittman concerning the proposed Stimulus Package being considered by the Congress and Senate of theUnited States. A budget for roads, sewer, water and Port were discussed.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Today after church, Deb and I stopped to buy a "get well" card and a book for ourCouncilman friend, Henry Phillips. He was in good spirits at the Cogburn Rehabilitation Home where he is getting physical therapy from a titanium shoulderreplacement. He had fallen down the steps at his home, shattering his shoulder.From there, it was off to Fresh Market for some guacamole and pita chips for todaysSuper Bowl Game. (I guess you could say I'm for the Steelers since I was born andlived there for my first twelve years).

Winter in Sun Valley, ID.

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About Me

Born in Natrona Heights, PA. (about 15 miles from Pittsburgh), I moved with my parents to Houston, Texas at age 12. When my father purchased 368 acres of land from Alabama Congressman Frank Boykin to build Ciba Geigy Chemical Corporation in McIntosh, we moved to Jackson, AL.
After buying a home in Chickasaw, AL. my father agreed to send me to Georgia Tech for my degree in Industrial Design. I married an Atlanta girl Sandy Deupree, and we started a family. After working for Allied Electronics, I was asked to be a partner in an Italian Restaurant on
West Peachtree St. which we named The Bistro. It became a folk music "hot spot" in Atlanta and still has a following of now much older fans (see
www.bistroatlanta.com) The last twenty
five years of my career was owner of three pro-audio stores. One in Atlanta,
one in Augusta and one in Charlotte, NC. When my fist wife passed away, I married the former Deborah Morris. We retired back to my parents home in Chickasaw, Alabama where I currently try to help my beloved teenage home town.